Latest Statements Regarding Terrorist Attack in Westminster

Statement from the Metropolitan Police April 1, 2017

All those arrested in connection with the terrorist attack in Westminster on Wednesday, 22 March have now been released with no further action.

A 30-year-old man [L] arrested on 26 March at an address in Birmingham on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts and detained under the Terrorism Act has been released, no further action, today, Saturday, 1 April.

Eleven other people [A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K] who were previously arrested in connection with this investigation have all been released with no further action.

Four victims who died as a result of the attack have been formally identified. They are:

The attacker, Khalid Masood, aged 52, has also been formally identified.

The inquests into the deaths of the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack opened and adjourned on Wednesday 29 March under the authority of Senior Coroner for Westminster, Dr Fiona Wilcox. A provisional date for the pre-inquest review was set by the coroner as 19 May at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The inquest into the death of Khalid Masood opened and adjourned on Thursday, 30 March, under the authority of Senior Coroner for Westminster, Dr Fiona Wilcox. A provisional date for the pre-inquest review was set by the coroner as 19 May, at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Enquiries continue.

Statement from the Metropolitan Police March 31, 2017

A 32-year-old woman [K] arrested last week in Manchester in connection with the terrorist attack in Westminster on 22 March, has been released with no further action.

The woman was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act on 24 March and was released on bail until a date in late March. She was released yesterday, Thursday, 30 March.

A 30-year-old man [L] arrested on 26 March at an address in Birmingham on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts and detained under TACT remains in custody.

Officers requested a warrant for further detention on 27 March and this was granted by Westminster Magistrates' Court until 11:35hrs on 2 April.

Statement from the Metropolitan Police March 29, 2017

The 58-year-old man arrested last week at an address in Birmingham in connection with last Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Westminster has now been released without charge.

The man [H] was arrested on 23 March on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts and detained under the Terrorism Act. On 24 March, officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) requested a warrant for further detention. This was granted by Westminster Magistrates’ Court until 06:50hrs on 30 March. He has now been released with no further action.

The 30-year-old man [L] arrested on 26 March at an address in Birmingham on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts and detained under TACT remains in custody. Officers requested a warrant for further detention on 27 March and this was granted by Westminster Magistrates' Court until 11:35hrs on 2 April.

A 32-year-old woman [K] was arrested on 24 March at a location in Manchester on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under PACE and has been released on bail until a date in late March.

Nine other people [A,B,C,D,E,F,G,I,J] who were previously arrested in connection with this investigation have all been released with no further action.

Officers have carried out searches at at a total of 17 addresses in East London (two), South London (one), Brighton (one), Surrey (one), Carmarthenshire (one), Birmingham (nine) and Manchester (one). Sixteen searches have now concluded, with one ongoing at an address in Birmingham.

Four victims who died as a result of the attack have been formally identified. They are:

Kurt Cochran, aged 54

Aysha Frade, aged 44

PC Keith Palmer, aged 48

Leslie Rhodes, aged 75

The attacker, Khalid Masood, aged 52, has also been formally identified.

The inquests into the deaths of the victims of the Westminster terrorist attack opened and adjourned today, Wednesday 29 March under the authority of Senior Coroner for Westminster, Dr Fiona Wilcox.

A provisional date for the pre-inquest review was set by the coroner as 19 May at the Royal Courts of Justice.

= update you on what we know and the breadth and speed of our investigation

= I want to ask for the public’s help

= and provide further details on the police service response

First I want to update you regarding those who were injured:

Sadly last night another man died in hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack. Whilst we await formal identification, we believe that he is Leslie Rhodes, aged 75, from Streatham in south London. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time

Also, 2 people remain in hospital in what is described as a critical condition, and one person is considered to have life threatening injuries.

Two of our officers who were injured on Westminster Bridge in the attack also remain in hospital having sustained significant injuries.

At least 50 people were injured with 31 requiring hospital treatment as the attack unfolded and those affected include a real cross section of ages and nationalities in fact 12 different nationalities were hospitalised. A poignant reminder that the impact of this attack on the Capital will reach around the world

Moving onto our investigation:

The Counter Terrorism Command investigation - Operation CLASSIFIC - continues, involving hundreds of officers from across our counter terrorism network. This is a very large, fast-paced investigation. I want to give you as much information as possible and make a critical appeal to the public

Yesterday we named the dead terrorist as Khalid Masood - we stated he had a number of aliases - we now know his birth name was Adrian Russell AJAO. I would like to put in record my gratitude to the journalists who having identified the dead terrorist soon after the attack have delayed publishing at my request to give us space to move on the necessary warrants, searches and arrests.

As I have said our investigation focuses on understanding his motivation, preparation and associates. Whilst there is no evidence of further threats you will understand our determination to find out if he either - Acted totally alone, Inspired by terrorist propaganda or, if others have encouraged, supported or directed him

To that end in our continuing investigation and ongoing covert activity we have:

Made 2 further arrests overnight – in the West Midlands and North West. Nine people remain in our custody and one woman has been released on bail.

Our searches at 5 addresses are ongoing - 16 searches have concluded.

So far we have seized 2,700 items as a result of our searches including 5 Tb of computer data.

We have engaged with around 3,500 witnesses - including 1,000 from people on Westminster Bridge and around 2,500 who were within the Parliamentary Estate, and receiving hundreds of uploads to our online platform.

Given that this attack was in the heart of our Capital we are also dealing with statements from people with range of nationalities

At this point I want to appeal to the public specifically. We remain keen to hear from anyone who Khalid Masood well; understands who his associates were; and can provide with information about places he has recently visited.There might be people out there who did have concerns about Masood but did not feel comfortable for whatever reason in passing those concerns to us. I urge anyone with such information to contact us know on 0800 789 321

This is where the help of communities is invaluable: Please act on your instincts if you are concerned about people who may be being radicalised or if you see suspicious activity. By standing together we know that communities have the power to defeat terrorism.

London is a vibrant world class city and the out pouring of support from our Communities and visitors shows the true strength of our City.

All of our officers are deeply touched to know that so far over 3,000 people have taken the time to get messages to the Met to thank them for the work they do. That support is also being shown by London’s business communities - releasing their staff who are our special constables.

In terms of protective security:I understand why a tragic event such as this generates questions about security at Parliament.

Our current arrangements have been developed with Parliament over many years and are designed to provide access to the seat of our Government balanced with security that is proportionate but not overly intrusive. As would be expected my team will work with Parliamentary authorities to assess whether a different tone is necessary. More widely - the police service will sustain an enhanced armed and unarmed protective security stance over the next few days.

London, and the UK, are open for business, and we are out there in greater numbers to make sure that the public see a highly presence to help reassure them.

There is an enhanced armed police presence across the UK with hundreds of extra of armed officers on duty. In London the number of armed officers remains at near double strength, while in other parts of the UK there are up to a third more armed officers on duty.

Senior officers from around the UK will keep meeting to make sure that we have the best possible plans in places for day to day policing and also the huge range of events that will take place over this coming weekend - both in London and across the UK.

Specialist CT security advisors have been briefing businesses - making sure we getting our advice to the right people who can help us keep their staff and customers safe up and down the country.

Finally: Last night a true cross section of people came together to stand together to remember - but also to send a message. A strong clear message - to those inspired by hate and extremism of all persuasions that we will not give in to those seek to breed discord and fear. This is as true now as it has ever been. Our Acting Commissioner, Craig Mackey, told thousands who gathered in central London last night terrorist have tried to tear this city apart before and never succeeded. The very fact London has gone back to work and so many were happy to gather in central London last night shows they have failed again.

We would like to thank our officers and staff who continue to work around the clock – both investigating this atrocity and continuing to keep our city safe. From the staff picking responding to calls in our control centres, staff and officers still guarding our iconic buildings, the officers patrolling streets in every borough and specialist teams that are not so visible

We are grateful for the continued support of the public and the strong calm response that has been shown, and I know that we will continue to stand strong.